Teaching Interests
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- Philosophy:
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- My teaching career has involved the use of
innovative teaching methods that continually challenge and motivate
students. My experience has been that guided discovery is a very
effective teaching mode for the natural sciences. It creates
a sense of individual accomplishment in students that leads to
higher motivation and better education. An undergraduate-oriented
research program helps involve students with my academic research
and is an excellent way to introduce students to scientific research
and methodology.
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- Structural Geology
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- Structural Geology deals with how rock materials
behave when they are deformed. I will teach students the various
methods of analysing deformed rocks, and investigate the ways
of quantifying that deformation. The significance of various
types of geological structures will be further explained in the
context of Plate Tectonics. For example, faults, folds, stress,
strain and fabrics in rocks will be described with emphasis given
on their field description and interpretations. Laboratory classes
will further develop theoretical principles given in the lectures.
They will include 2-D and 3-D geometric exercises involving geological
maps, numerical calculations and computer simulations. The aim
of this course in Structural Geology will be to enable students
to gain an understanding of the main processes of deformation
in rocks and to be able to perform simple geometrical exercises.
The relationship between theoretical, laboratory and field observations
can not be over emphasised. I will use techniques that are useful
in the analysis and quantification of rock deformation. The course
aims to explain the significance of the various types of geological
structure in the context of Plate Tectonics, ranging from small
scale faulting and folding to large scale mountain belts. The
objectives of the course are to enable students to recognise,
describe and classify the main types of geological structures
(folds, faults, lineations, etc.) and understand the mechanisms
by which they form.
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- Collisional Tectonics
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- The main objective of this course will be
to introduce the recent studies made in collisional tectonics
in modern and ancient orogenic belts to students. The theory
of collisional-tectonics has revolutionised our understanding
of geological phenomena and introduced a new conceptual framework
in which different geological studies can be integrated to give
a comprehensive geological history at various regional levels.
A better understanding of these theoretical principles will help
in the exploration of natural resources and dealing with natural
hazards. This provides numerous possibilities for undergraduate
fields of geoscientific research. The course will consist mainly
of lectures, practicals and field work. The programme will cover
numerous themes e.g., structural geology, metamorphism, plateau
uplift, with reference to the Appalachians, Alps and the Himalaya.
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- Field Methods (or Field Applications of
Structural Geology)
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- On completion of this course, students will
have developed the skills in field geology which are relevant
to the understanding of deformed rocks, and the skills to draw
together observations from petrology and structural geology to
interpret Earth processes. They will appreciate how the processes
which occur within and between plates can be interpreted in terms
of the stress and strain in the outer parts of the Earth. The
course will include instruction in the proper use of the geological
compass for acquiring structural data, use of aerial photographs
for determining accurate locations in the field, assessing outcrop
geology, plotting of geological data on base maps, constructing
geological maps by synthesising smaller data sets and extrapolation
into areas of non-exposure, and the construction of geological
cross-sections. An intensive mapping camp could be a major component
of the course. Fieldwork would be assessed by written reports
and field exercises.
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- Environmental Geology
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- This course will have 3 main sections. The
first part will focus on surface geologic processes and related
environmental concerns (e.g., Population dynamics and environmental
stresses, Mass wasting, Slope stability, Coastal processes and
Karst and aeolian processes). The second part of the course focuses
on the surface manifestation of deep- seated geologic processes,
specifically focusing on earthquakes and volcanoes (e.g., Plate
tectonic theory, Earthquake activity, Earthquake hazard map and
Volcanic activity). The final part of the course focuses on geologic
resources, associated environmental concerns, and on waste disposal
(e.g., Water resources, Energy resources, Industrial rock and
mineral resources and Waste disposal).
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- Remote sensing and Image Processing using
ENVI
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- Remote sensing is a tool used by earth scientists
to study the spatial association and areal extent of features
distributed on the earth's surface. The course will concentrate
on a study of the electromagnetic and thermal properties of earth
objects (vegetation, soils, water); and, the principles and operations
of different sensor (camera, scanner, IR detectors, radar) used
to record and/or measure this energy. The fundamentals and principles
of remote sensing will be presented and advanced methodologies
will be discussed and demonstrated. This will include examples
of practical applications of remote sensing in geology. The course
will include a review and application of methods for analysis
of panchromatic and multispectral data; introduction to data
and analysis; and an overview and introduction to the basics
of hyperspectral analysis. The "Environment for Visualizing
Images" (ENVI) software will be used for interactive processing
exercises. ENVI will be used to illustrate key concepts and provide
students with hands-on experience. The class will provide sufficient
background for students new to the field of remote sensing to
enable them to understand the theory as well as perform fundamental
processing functions. The lectures and practical exercises enable
students to utilise the power of ENVI to solve remote sensing
problems.
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- Plate Tectonics
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- A course to study the fundamental theory
of plate tectonics including historical development, kinematics
and the morphology and structure of the major types of plate
boundaries. Examination of the structure and processes occurring
within the earth's interior.
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- Tectonics
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- An overview of tectonic theory and processes
for application to the earth sciences. The course would explore
the primary tools of tectonic interpretation including plate
kinematics, rheology, plate boundary dynamics, and the behaviour
of active fault systems. Mechanical aspects of rock deformation;
stress and strain behaviour of materials; descriptive treatment
of strain folds and cleavage; examination of deformed rocks in
the laboratory and in the field. Response of rocks to elevated
temperature and pressure; the equilibrium metamorphic model and
the facies concept; metamorphic rocks in thin section and in
hand specimen; the relationship between mineral assemblages in
metamorphic rocks and their conditions of formation. The evolution
of pressure, temperature and deformation in orogeny. The acquisition,
inversion and interpretation of magnetic, gravity and seismic
data in tectonics contexts. Field mapping, including individual
mapping projects, would be possible. On completion of this subject,
students will acquire an understanding of the effects of elevated
pressure, temperature and stress on rocks; be able to recognise,
describe and interpret rocks formed as a consequence of these
effects in the laboratory and in the field and understand the
role of geophysical methods in establishing and testing tectonic
models.
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- Regional Tectonics
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- Geologic principles, plate tectonic theory
applied to the interpretation of geologic history on a regional
scale. Examples could be the Himalayas, Alps, Bushveld Complex
(South Africa) etc.
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- Active Tectonics
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- The processes, techniques, and interpretations
involved in the study of active crustal movements; constraints
from plate tectonics; horizontal and vertical motions and rates;
geodesy, including GPS; stress measurement; image interpretation;
fault system analysis; paleoseismicity; fluid effects.
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- Introductory Geology / Introduction to
Physical Geology
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- Focuses on physical features of our planet
and their origin. Topics would include: plate tectonics, mountain
building, glaciers, earthquakes, volcanoes, coastlines, rivers,
deserts, geologic structures, weathering, minerals, and rocks.
Introduces fundamental methodology for observing and interpreting
earth features. Intended for non-physical science majors.
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- Stratigraphy
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- A course to study the description and correlation
of rock units. Modules will cover concepts of time and methods
of absolute dating, environments of deposition and modern/ancient
analogs and facies analysis, basin analysis and the stratigraphic
code (time, time-rock, and rock units).
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- Metamorphic Geology
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- This would be an advanced course in metamorphism.
Topics covered would include: the causes of metamorphism; quantification
of metamorphic conditions through geobarometry, geothermometry,
and phase diagrams; understanding metamorphic fluid flow; radiometric
dating; kinetics; and the relationship of metamorphism to deformation
and tectonics. Overall, the course provides the background to
unravel the complex metamorphic history of a terrain. Coursework
emphasises the techniques used to study metamorphism and metamorphic
processes using examples and case studies from different metamorphic
terrains. Practical work integrates theoretical aspects with
petrologic observations, mineralogy, and geochemistry.
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- Petroleum Geology
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- Geologic occurrence of petroleum and the
application of geologic principles in exploration and production.
Topics covered will include petroleum source rocks, primary formation
and migration of petroleum, petroleum reservoirs and fluids;
structural controls on petroleum accumulation; the geology of
unconventional oil and solid hydrocarbons; the origin, evolution,
petrology and stratigraphy of coal deposits. Case studies of
hydrocarbon accumulations would be presented.
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- Igneous Petrology
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- Investigation of problems in igneous petrology,
using petrography, geochemistry, and experimental methods.
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- Isotope Geology
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- Introduction to the theoretical basis for
isotopic fractionation in nature; survey of isotopic variations
in natural materials; and application of isotopic variations
to problems of geological and environmental significance.
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- Geohazards
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- This class will explore the fundamental nature
of catastrophic processes that have shaped and continue to shape
the Earth and the environment in which we live. The physical
processes causing earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis,
windstorms, floods, landslides, meteorite impacts, and other
phenomena will be described, along with the role played by these
rapid processes in the geological and biological evolution of
Earth. The entire time scale from formation of the Universe to
the present and future Earth system will be considered.
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- Management of Geological Risks
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- A multidisciplinary approach in the search
for solutions for a society confronted with natural risks. Students
learn to develop an expertise in the field of natural risk mitigation,
by integrating it in the planning of sustainable development
and be able to take preventive measures to reduce the impact
of natural disaster. Topics include risk and disaster management,
volcanic risks, seismic risks, risks related to unstable terrains
and hydrogeological risks. Fieldwork can include analysis of
unstable terrains and visits to security installations, dams,
embankments; Seismo-tectonic analysis; faults study or the evaluation
of hazards and risks of an active volcanic area and flood and
landslides prone area
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- Climate Change
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- A course to review the advanced concepts
in climate dynamics and to explore how Earth's environment is
a product of the interaction of its components. Uses examples
of climate change from historical and geologic records, and from
predictions of the future. Past climates are investigated in
terms of geologic evidence of such conditions; links between
past climates and other aspects of Earth history are studies.
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- Hydrogeology
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- An analysis of the hydrologic cycle, including
precipitation, stream flow and watersheds, floods and flood control,
hillside processes, erosion and sediment yield, and human impacts
on this system. The course will also introduce water law, management
and policies.
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